Design and Photo Credit to Melda Clark
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional side yard partial sun formal garden for spring in Dallas with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

This garden was designed by Kim Rooney. This photo was taken by Eva Blanchard Photography.
This is an example of a large traditional backyard full sun formal garden for spring in Seattle with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden for spring in Denver with natural stone pavers.

Mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun driveway in Houston with concrete pavers for spring.

This is an example of a large traditional side yard full sun driveway for winter in Austin with a retaining wall and brick pavers.

Daniel Photography Ltd.
Inspiration for a large traditional front yard full sun garden for spring in San Francisco with natural stone pavers and a garden path.

Exterior Worlds was contracted by the Bretches family of West Memorial to assist in a renovation project that was already underway. The family had decided to add on to their house and to have an outdoor kitchen constructed on the property. To enhance these new constructions, the family asked our firm to develop a formal landscaping design that included formal gardens, new vantage points, and a renovated pool that worked to center and unify the aesthetic of the entire back yard. The ultimate goal of the project was to create a clear line of site from every vantage point of the yard. By removing trees in certain places, we were able to create multiple zones of interest that visually complimented each other from a variety of positions. These positions were first mapped out in the landscape master plan, and then connected by a granite gravel walkway that we constructed. Beginning at the entrance to the master bedroom, the walkway stretched along the perimeter of the yard and connected to the outdoor kitchen. Another major keynote of this formal landscaping design plan was the construction of two formal parterre gardens in each of the far corners of the yard. The gardens were identical in size and constitution. Each one was decorated by a row of three limestone urns used as planters for seasonal flowers. The vertical impact of the urns added a Classical touch to the parterre gardens that created a sense of stately appeal counter punctual to the architecture of the house. In order to allow visitors to enjoy this Classic appeal from a variety of focal points, we then added trail benches at key locations along the walkway. Some benches were installed immediately to one side of each garden. Others were placed at strategically chosen intervals along the path that would allow guests to sit down and enjoy a view of the pool, the house, and at least one of the gardens from their particular vantage point. To centralize the aesthetic formality of the formal landscaping design, we also renovated the existing swimming pool. We replaced the old tile and enhanced the coping and water jets that poured into its interior. This allowed the swimming pool to function as a more active landscaping element that better complimented the remodeled look of the home and the new formal gardens. The redesigned path, with benches, tables, and chairs positioned at key points along its thoroughfare, helped reinforced the pool’s role as an aesthetic focal point of formal design that connected the entirety of the property into a more unified presentation of formal curb appeal. To complete our formal landscaping design, we added accents to our various keynotes. Japanese yew hedges were planted behind the gardens for added dimension and appeal. We also placed modern sculptures in strategic points that would aesthetically balance the classic tone of the garden with the newly renovated architecture of the home and the pool. Zoysia grass was added to the edges of the gardens and pathways to soften the hard lines of the parterre gardens and walkway.

View from the home's entry area to the street.
Inspiration for a traditional shaded garden for spring in San Francisco.

Low water high impact patio garden landscape. Colorful succulents and plants that attract hummingbirds. Night lighting created a magical effect in this rooftop garden. Hardscape using concrete with floating deck and steps. Corten planters and steel cable handrail create a secure barrier while keeping views open and airy. Tucson city view from the Catalina Foothills.

A series of L-shaped raised planters define the vegetable and herb garden. Set within an cottage garden, the planters combine, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Espalier apples and pears are trained along the fence line.

Modern landscape with different gravels and poured in place concrete.
Inspiration for a large midcentury backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in San Francisco with with path, gravel and a wood fence.

A wild, native spirit radiates out from within the structured lines and angles of the hardscape - softened by a lush and biodiverse selection of California native plants in a velvety palette of soft silvery grays, greens, and purples with the occasional pop of yellow and orange. Newly planted native Engelmann Oak and feathery Caesalpinia Sierra Sun trees are grounded by weighty golden boulders. White Cloud muhly grass whispers to the ceanothus and flannel bush, while verbena ‘De la Mina’ nestles amongst the buckwheat and artemisia, perfumed by the earthy smell of the endemic ‘Aroma’ Sage. Birds, butterflies, and other pollinators have found their way to this sumptuous wildlife habitat that we’ve created, and their presence brings a delightful song and serenity to the garden.

Design ideas for a large scandinavian front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Santa Barbara with with rock feature and gravel.

A beautiful Landscape Design with rustic stone.
Inspiration for a mid-sized tropical front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Houston with with raised garden bed and natural stone pavers.

Epic Outdoor KitchenThis is one of our most favorite residential projects! There's not much the client didn't think of when designing this incredible outdoor kitchen, just looking at that brick oven pizza has our mouths watering! Complete with cozy vibes, this outdoor space was craftily mastered with: excavation, grading, drainage, gas line, electrical, low voltage lighting, electric heaters, ceiling fan, concrete footings, concrete flatwork, concrete countertops, stucco, sink, faucet, plumbing, pergola, custom metal brackets, stone veneer, fireplace, pizza oven, porcelain plank pavers, cabinets, gas bbq grill, green egg, gas stovetop, bar, chimney, and a television

The instructions were clear, make it cozy and comforting. Incorporate natural materials, don't hurt the environment, use lots of native plants, create shade, attract bees, butterflies and humming birds. BELandscape design, created a backyard that is an escape for this hard working couple. Scroll to the 'Before' photos to fully appreciate this backyard transformation.

An above ground hot tub in centered in this multi-use garden that features a large outdoor dining space, outdoor kitchen, horizontal wood backdrop w/ built-in TV entertainment center, and modern-industrial patio cover.

To create privacy and a shade garden sanctuary we used river stone stepping stones, moss rock and ferns. The raised planting bed and boulders to sit and mediate on are surrounded by Japanese maples, tree ferns and fragrant shrubs. This shade garden is magical.